This is a hands-on, pressure-free class for beginners, or for printmakers who want to experiment with monotype, different techniques and materials.

Monotype is known for its painterly quality where a unique print is achieved. It is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface was historically a copper plate, but in contemporary work it can be zinc, glass, acrylic or Perspex. The image is then transferred onto a paper by pressing the two together, using etching press, brayer, hand-held baren or by techniques with which most printmakers started exploring this medium, such as rubbing with the back of a wooden spoon or the fingers.

• This class will provide an introduction to monotype techniques using water-based inks, Perspex and a hand-held baren, without the need for a press.

• We will explore different ways of applying ink and learn how to create interesting textures using various mark making tools.

• We will start with landscape as the subject matter and learn how to create a painterly print rich in atmosphere and achieve perspective by applying ink of various transparency and consistency.

• We will work with colour, using limited palette and experiment with different types of paper.

• We will look at how a traditional hand-printed monotype can be combined with other techniques and mediums, such as stencil, trace-monotype or pastel.

• In later sessions you will be invited to use a subject / reference of your choice and apply the techniques we learned in previous sessions.

And most importantly, we will have fun and perhaps discover something new to add to your artistic practice!